Pat McAfee One of Gil Brandt’s Greatest Punters of All Time

On Friday, NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt released his top 14 punters in NFL history. Coming in at No. 8 is newly-retired Indianapolis Colts special teams ace Pat McAfee.

McAfee’s departure is still a sore subject for Colts fans. As the best punter the franchise has ever seen, McAfee left while still in his prime. In 2016, he set career highs in yards per punt (49.3) and longest punt (74). His average led the league. He also had career-bests of just 17 returns allowed and 139 return yards allowed (8.2 avg). McAfee has also always been among the league’s most effective kickoff specialists, routinely forcing touchbacks.

In McAfee’s eight-year career, he punted 575 times for an average of 46.4 (40.1 net avg). 193 of the punts were downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, and only 49 were touchbacks. He had 659 kickoffs that resulted in 350 touchbacks (53.1%). Since 2014, four of McAfee’s seven onside kicks were recovered by the Colts.

McAfee was voted to two Pro Bowls (2014, 2016) and was once named First Team All-Pro (2014).

Jake Arthur is the Indianapolis Colts Team Manager, Director of Fantasy Football Content, Assistant Director of NFL Content and a Featured Analyst for Pro Football Spot. He is also a member of the Professional Football Writers of America. Follow @JakeArthurPFS on Twitter as well as on Facebook. Check out his other work HERE.

Jake Arthur is a member of the Professional Football Writers of America. He is the Director of Fantasy Football Content for Pro Football Spot and a contributor forSB Nation's Indianapolis Colts website, Stampede Blue. Follow @JakeArthurNFL on Twitter!